Abstain from "Abstinence Only"

This recent story underscores how so-called "abstinence only" education in our schools is not only unrealistic - it is dangerous. A survey of Orlando-area teens shows that some kids ("some" is the vague language of the article) believe that drinking bleach can prevent HIV infection; furthermore, certain teenagers believe that drinking Mountain Dew will prevent pregnancy. The survey also indicated that students have very poor knowledge of condoms and sexual health. Local media is reporting that Florida legislatures are meeting to review the "abstinence only" education programs in the state in response to the dismal survey results, but an inside Mirth and Matter informant (ok, it was Alexis) revealed that bills to overhaul the controversial sex education program have been blocked in Tallahassee every step of the way. It will be a while yet before Florida teens learn that condoms can greatly reduce the likelihood of STIs and pregnancy, not household cleaners and soft drinks (or soft drinks that taste like household cleaners, as the case may be).

Conservatives and religious fundamentalists (is there any different anymore?) who discuss this issue talk about the need for stronger families. "We shouldn't teach about sexual issues in public schools," they argue. "This should be the purview of awkward mothers and fathers and the 'birds and the bees' talk, just like it's been since time immemorial." In an ideal world, where all parents are responsible and involved, this would certainly be the case. But that's not our world. "Abstinence only" education is a pipe dream: trying to convince a hormone-fueled teen that sex should only be between a married man and woman not only deprives kids of much-needed knowledge on the topic; it makes them feel hopelessly guilty for their perfectly natural desires. Instead of insisting on this completely unrealistic, losing course, we should address healthy sexual practices in the schools. Morality should be the purview of the family; we owe our kids the basic facts about health and the human body.